Rocking device



July 20, 1965 E. N. PALMER 3,195,951

ROCKING DEVICE Filed May 9, 1963 2 Sheets$heet l l IO INVENTOR. I Earl N. Palmer ATTORNEYS July 20, 1965 E N. PALMER ROCKING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 9, 1963 INVENTOR. N. P 0 Im e r w'ijawif ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3 ,195,951 RGQKHNG BEVECE Earl N. Palmer, 3618 Amherst Road, Cheyenne, Wye. Filed May 9, 1963, Ser. No. 279,113 7 Qlaims. (ill. 297-260) My invention relates to amusement devices and particularly to an improved amusement device of the rocking type, especially suitable for small children.

Many rocking type amusement devices have been provided heretofore and have included devices employing some mechanism for modifying the rocking movement to secure various characteristics of movement and to provide added safety. These prior devices have included arrangements for modifying the rocking movement by the action of springs brought into play in various ways. It is desirable to provide the fullest thrill of the rocking movement as well as adequate safety for the operation of the device by small children. Accordingly it is an object of my invention to provide an improved amuse ment device of the rocking type which provides increased thrill to the operator while assuring a high degree of safety.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an amusement device of the rocking type including an improved arrangement for effecting easily controlled modification of the rocking movement.

It is another object of my invention to provide an amusement device of the rocking type including an improved arrangement for affording the use of steeper rocker configurations with resulting added thrill while affording adequate safety at all times during rocking operation.

Briefly, in carrying out the objects of my invention in one embodiment thereof, 1 provide a rocker supported body having semicircular rockers and a seat for the operator located near the central axis of the circular rocker surfaces. A foot platform is arranged between the seat toward the mid-position of the rockers. I control the action of the rockers by providing arms pivoted on the body, one extending outwardly in each direction from the rockers, and by arranging tension springs to urge the ends of the arms against the floor or other supporting surface. In order to minimize friction and wear of carpets or other surfaces, rollers are preferably arranged at the ends of the arms. The springs increase the resistance to movement toward the end positions and make possible the use of steep rocker surfaces and added thrill while alfording the required safety to the operator. The continuous engagement of the rollers and the floor provides a smooth action and also enables the operator easily to stop the riding movement in any position of the rockers.

In another embodiment I provided leaf springs having curved ends held resiliently in continuous sliding engagement with the floor.

The features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation together with further objects and advantages thereof will best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of an amusement device embodying my invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the device shown in FIG. 1 with a portion of the handle support broken away;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the device shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the action of the device during operation;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view illustrating another embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating a further embodiment of my invention; and

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a different configuration of rocker suitable for use in the devices of the other figures.

Referring now to the drawings, the device illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 comprises a pair of solid generally arcuate side members it constructed of wood or other suitable material and having rocker surfaces 11 of semicircular configuration. The side members it are spaced apart and connected by cross members 12 in the lower central portions thereof and by members 13 at the upper ends. The upper edges of the members it are cut in an inverted trapezoidal configuration providing three straight sides, the connecting or bottom edge of which provides a normally level footrest area for the operator, and a platform or footrest panel 12a is supported on the crosspieces i2 flush with the top of the bottom edge. The members 13 are connected by a central longitudinal support member 14 which carries a seat comprising a crosspi-ece 15 secured to the member 14 by suitable bolts indicated at ltd.

A handle support 17 is provided which is connected to the foot support 12a and extends upwardly through a hole in the longitudinal member 14; the support 17 is provided with a crosspiece or handle 18 near its upper end which may easily be gripped by a child sitting on the seat 15. The upwardly sloping edges of the side pieces are connected by panels 2% or closure boards secured to strips Zii attached to the members 1% and extending upwardly parallel to the sloping edges; the strips are spaced from the edges a distance sunrcient to accommodate the panels in flush relationship to the sides. These sloping panels provide footrests for support in tilted positions of the device. Thus, the interior of the body illustrated in these figures provides sloping walls somewhat similar to those of a boat. The absence of side walls in the illustrated embodiment enables a child sitting on the seat to step olf easily on either side of the central member 14.

In order to control the rocking action of the amusement device, I provide forwardly and rearwardly extending pairs of arms 21. Each of the pairs of arms are pivoted to a respective one of the crosspieces 12 on hinges 23 and extend outwardly beyond the rocker surfaces 11 where they terminate at roller or caster assemblies 24.

The rollers 24 are maintained in continuous engagement with the supporting surface by tension springs 25 connected to crosspieces 26 which hold the pairs or" arms 21 in assembled relationship, the springs being connected near the center of the crosspieces at one end and to the center of the crosspieces 12 at their other ends. It will thus be observed that the springs 25 hold the arms to a downwardly biased position, as viewed in FIG. 1, so that rollers 24 rest against the supporting surface as indicated by a line 27.

During the rocking movement of the device as the rockers roll downwardly toward either of the pairs of arms, the arms rotate so that the wheels move toward the ends of the rockers while maintaining their position in engagement with the floor. This action produces increased tension in the spring 25 as the arm is extended and increases the resistance to the rocking movement. This provides substantially increased stability and maintains the rocker always under control of the operator, the tension in the springs enabling the operator to stop the rocker at any position in the movement by a simple swinging movement their ends engage the surfaces 11 'of the rockers.

The rocking action of the device is indicate d in FIG. 4 which shows the device in a position rocked to the left from its normal or upright position in FIG; 1 so that the v left-hand spring 25 is undersgreater tension and the righthand spring under less tension. The rocker has thus rolled toward the left and has brought lefthand roller 24 closer to the point at which the rocker rests on the floor. In the extreme position of rocking to the left the roller 24 will lie still closer to the point of support of the rocker and the crosspiece. 26 will engage the rocker to act as a stop as indicated in the dotted line position of the roller assembly and rocker edge. In this extreme position the rocker is in rigid engagement with the supporting surface through the roller, it'being understood that the axis of rotation or center point of the rocker will have moved forward to the left as the rocker rolls from its full line position to its dotted line position.

During the use of the device as it moves forward into the left-hand position as shown, the child may place its feet against the forward upwardly sloping panel surface 20a and, similarly, when the device isroclred backwardly toward the n'ght,the child may place its feet against the rearward sloping panel 29a; these panels'Ztla in the extreme positions may thus provide a more convenient footrest than the central panel 12a.

The arrangement of the seat 15 near the center of rotation of the rocker together with the action of the tension springs makes it possible for a child to control the rocker nated by the same numerals. The structure of FIG. '5

differs from that of FIG. 1 in that the tension springs are arranged within the downwardly open box-like compartment formed by the crosspieces 12 and floor panel 12a and instead of the'springs 25, springs 3b are employed and are arranged within the compartment; The spring 30 for the right-hand arm 21 is connected to the inside wall of the left-hand crosspiece 12 and is secured by a smooth cable or wire 31 to the end of the right-hand arm 21. The cable 31 passes below and bends around the left-hand crosspiece 12 and moves in a metal eye or otherisuitable guide 32. The connection from the tension spring Zitifor the left-hand arm 21 is of the same construction as'that for right and includes a cable 31 and eye 32. This arrangement has the advantage that the tension springs are concealed and protected by the compartment below the floor panel or footrest.

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional elevational view of a device of essentially the same body construction as that of FIG; 1, the far side piece or rocker member'being indicated at 160. In this embodiment the footrestindicated at 34 is of the same construction as that of the footrest 12a in FIG. 1 andforms a boat-like structure in cooperation with sloping side panels indicated at '35. on either side thereof. Instead of the hinged arms 21, the swinging arms are provided by a symmetrically bowed leaf spring 36 having curved feet 37 positioned to engage the supporting surface, both arms of the spring when in engagement with the floor as shown being under tension and held so by the weight of the device. The spring 36 is rigidly secured to the platform 34 by a bolt 38 which is also employed for r 4 securing the lower-end of the inclined handle indicated at 17c.

The spring 36 is flexible and is selected to have sufficient resilience to move throughout the rangeof rocking movement of the device while maintaining its ends 37 in engagement with the supporting surface; as the rocking movement increases toward one side or the other, the arm of the spring on that side applies increasing force so that, as it swings in its bending movement, it provides greater resistance to rockingand thereby secures a similar effect to that with the hinged arms 21 and tension springs 25 of the first embodiment. The crosspieces supporting the platform 34 on the sides'10c are indicated at 41 and are provided with openings 22 which accommodate passage of the arms of the spring and afford suflicient spacing for the required swinging movement of the arms.

One advantage of-the several action control arrangements illustrated and described above is that a wide range of curvature of the rocker may be employed and steeper rocking surfaces maybe used to effect increased thrill for the operator. By way-of example, FIG. 7 illustrates a side member 44 similarto the side members 10 of the first embodiment but formed with a rocking surface of elliptical or egg-shaped configuration so that the rocking action near the central portion may be relatively mild but,

as the child moves the device either forward orbackward,

accelerated rocking is effectedand the tension springs will be brought into play more suddenly. However, by employing tension springs for effecting adequate resistance, the sudden change may be damped and, although increased thrill will be afforded, the springs provide adequate safety and prevent overturn of the device.

While my invention has been described in connection with specific details of construction, various other constructions and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, I do not desire that the invention be limited to the details illustrated and describedand I intendby the appended claims to cover all modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim; I

1. An amusement device of the rocking type including a structure having a body and means for supporting the.

body in rockingengagement with'a fiatsurface, means for supporting a person on' said body, and rocking control .means for providing increased resistance to progressive rocking motion. in either direction thereof, said control tially continuous moving engagement of said end portion and the flat surface during rocking movement of said body, saidspring means being arranged to effect the inrocking movement in either direction thereof, said control means comprising members mounted for swinging movement with respect to said body in the direction of rocking movement and having end portions positioned for continuous engagement with and bodily movement along the flat surface during at least the major portion .of the rocking movement in the respective directions of movement, said members being spring biased -to prevent said increased resistance.

3. An amusement device of the rocking type including a'. structure having a body andrmeansfor supporting the body in rocking engagement with a flat surface, means for supporting a person on said body, and rocking control means for providing increased resistance to continued rocking movement in either direction thereof, said control means comprising (0) arms pivoted on said body for swinging movement about axes parallel to that of the rocking movement, (b) means at each outer end of said arms for engagement with and bodily movement along the fiat surface, and (0) spring means for biasing said last mentioned means into engagement with the flat surface during rocking movement and for providing said increased resistance by increasing the biasing force resisting rocking movement in each respective direction as the body rocks toward such direction.

4. An amusement device of the rocking type including a structure having a body and means for supporting the body in rocking engagement With a flat surface, means for supporting a person on said body, and rocking control means for providing increased resistance to continued rocking movement in either direction thereof, said control means comprising arms pivoted on said body for swinging movement about axes parallel to that of the rocking movement, means at each outer end of said arms for moving engagement with the flat surface, said control means further including tension springs, one connected between said body and the outer end portion of each respective arm for biasing the respective arm against the flat surface during rocking movement to provide said increased resistance to rocking movement as it approaches each respective end of such movement.

5. An amusement device of the rocking type as set forth in claim 4 wherein said body includes a platform in the lower central portion thereof and said supporting means comprises a pair of rockers one on each side of said platform, means providing a compartment below said platform, said arms being pivoted to said body near the up er portion of said compartment and said springs being mounted in said compartment and each having one end attached to a respective opposite side wall thereof, said control means further including tension means for connecting the other ends of said springs to the respective outer ends of said arms whereby said springs are protected by said compartment during operation of said device.

6. An amusement device of the rocking type including a structure having a body and means for supporting the body in rocking engagement with a flat surface, means for supporting a person on said body, and rocking control means for providing increased resistance to continued rocking movement in either direction thereof, said control means comprising arms pivoted on said body for swinging movement about axes parallel to that of the rocking movement, roller means at the ends of said arms for engagement with and rolling movement along the flat surface, said control means further including means for biasing said roller means in continuous engagement with the fiat surface during rocking movement and for providing resilient resistance to the rocking movement.

7. An amusement device of the rocking type as set forth in claim 6 wherein each arm comprises a pair of members connected near their outer ends by a crossbar, said crossbar extending laterally outwardly of said arms and being positioned to engage the edges of said rockers and stop further swinging movement of each arm upon extreme rocking movement in its respective direction.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 667,085 1/01 Grader 297260 735,185 8/03 White 297264 1,421,260 6/22 Kurnich 5106 1,695,737 12/28 Molesdale 297-266 2,008,611 7/35 Haug 297-266 2,654,418 10/53 Bisner 297-258 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. 

2. AN AMUSEMENT DECICE OF THE ROCKING TYPE INCLUDING A STRUCTURE HAVING A BODY AND MEANS FOR SUPPORTING THE BODY IN ROCKING ENGAGEMENT WITH A FLAT SURFACE, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING A PERSON ON SAID BODY, AND ROCKING CONTROL MEANS FOR PROVIDING INCREASED RESISTANCE TO PROGRESSIVE ROCKING MOVEMENT IN EITHER DIRECTION THEREOF, SAID CONTROL MEANS COMPRISING MEMBERS MOUNTED FOR SWINGING MOVEMENT WITH RESPECT TO SAIDBODY IN THE DIRECTION OF ROCKING MOVEMENT AND HAVING END PORTIONS POSITIONED FOR CONTINUOUS ENGAGEMENT WITH AND BODILY MOVEMENT ALONG THE FLAT SURFACE SURING AT LEAST THE MAJOR PORTION OF THE ROCKING MOVEMENT IN THE RESPECTIVE DIRECTIONS OF MOVEMENT, SAID MEMBERS BEING SPRING BIASED TO PREVENT SAID INCREASED RESISTANCE. 